The Rams came home happy after a long three game road trip that concluded with a win Sunday night in Phoenix. Colorado State topped Grand Canyon University and improved to 3-1-1 on the season after a 1-0 win.

CSU went 1-1-1 during a road trip that featured three closely contested games, each of which were decided in the last 10 seconds of regulation or overtime. After losing to Gonzaga on a last-minute goal and tying Eastern Washington in double overtime last weekend, the Rams were hungry for a victory.

Double overtime. Five minutes to go. Ally Murphy-Pauletto ➡️ Caeley Lordemann.#ProudToBe | #CSURams pic.twitter.com/2E8RiZ0GKG

— Colorado State Soccer (@CSUFutbol) September 9, 2019

For 90 minutes, the game remained scoreless. Defense was solid on both sides as both teams prevented clean shots from getting through to their goalkeepers.

CSU keeper Gabi McDonald shined in overtime. GCU had a whopping 16 total shots, seven of which were on goal. McDonald had numerous impressive saves, including a leaping deflection where she tipped a well placed GCU shot over the crossbar early in the first half.

The Rams had 12 total shots to GCU’s 16, and shots on goal were 7-6 for GCU, but CSU remained aggressive.

Sophomore Gracie Armstrong picked up more of the offensive load. Throughout the game, she acted as a ballhawk, flying all over the field and always seeming to be near the ball. Armstrong finished the game with two shots on goal.

Regulation ended scoreless for both teams, and neither team scored in the first overtime. CSU took the momentum into the second overtime with two shot attempts before connecting for the score.

Finally, after 105 minutes of scoreless play, the Rams secured the win in sudden death, and by none other than captain Caeley Lordemann. Five minutes and eight seconds into the second overtime period, Ally Murphy-Pauletto dribbled past a defender using a tight handle and centered the ball to Lordemann.

The Rams’ all-time leading scorer boxed out her defender to win the ball and turned around for the shot that soared into the back of the net. GCU’s goalie had no chance, and Lordemann secured the game-winner on her fourth goal of the season.

The game-winning goal gives the Rams a record of 3-1-1, which is their best start in the program’s history. Lordemann has been clutch all season and is already only one goal away from her career-high of five goals just five games into the season.

The Rams hope to continue their hot start on Friday when they return home to face the University of Denver.

Bailey Bassett can be reached by email at sports@collegian.com or on Twitter @baileybassett_.